Francis Camp, Metal-products Entrepreneur

December 12, 1999|By Krystyna Slivinski, Tribune Staff Writer.

Friends and family described Francis L. Camp, 84, of Addison, as a self-made man.

Mr. Camp started Better Bilt Products Inc. in a two-car garage in south suburban Midlothian. He was its sole employee, making wire products. A few years later he moved the firm to Addison. There, it evolved into one of Chicago's largest producers of wire and metal products.

Mr. Camp died Thursday at Elmhurst Extended Care.

He moved to Chicago in the 1930s and worked at Globe Manufacturing Co., Chicago, a metal fabrication factory that made chicken and bird cages. He eventually became the company's plant superintendent.

Mr. Camp served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Because of his experience as a welder, he worked as a deep sea "hardhat" salvage diver, repairing battle-scarred warships and recovering the remains of servicemen.

Mr. Camp bought his first wire fabrication machine and started Better Bilt Products in 1946. Two years later, Mr. Camp moved to Addison and soon was producing wire and metal products such as plant and pot holders, pans, dog cages and lawn and garden supplies.

By the time Mr. Camp let his sons take over the firm in the mid-1980s, the company employed more than 70 workers and was housed in two buildings in Addison.

"He never totally gave up the reins," said his son Frank Camp Jr. "He would get the mail so he knew what was going on."

Other survivors include four sons, Scott, Harry, Steve and Tim; two daughters, Toni Pytko and Susan Fiello; two brothers, Donald and Dale; three sisters, Laura Jackson, Dorothy McBride and Betty Davison; and 13 grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Humes Funeral Home, 320 W. Lake St., Addison. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the funeral home.